The morning sunlight quietly entered the hospital room, warming the white walls with a soft golden glow.
For the first time in almost two days...
The room felt peaceful.
The fever had finally started coming down.
Mayank slowly opened his eyes, blinking sleepily.
"Mama..."
Mia immediately leaned forward, gently stroking his hair.
"My little puppy..."
"You're awake."
She smiled through tired eyes.
"How are you feeling?"
Mayank looked around the room before asking the one question Mia had expected.
"My Iron Man Friend...?"
Before she could answer...
A familiar voice came from the doorway.
"I'm right here, Cute Little Boy."
Mayank's sleepy face instantly brightened.
"Iron Man Friend!"
Leo walked inside carrying a small gift bag.
His usual cold expression disappeared the moment he saw the little boy smiling again.
"I heard our little superhero defeated the fever."
Mayank proudly nodded.
"I won."
Leo chuckled.
"I knew you would."
He walked closer and placed the gift bag on the bed.
"Open it."
Mayank looked at Mia for permission.
She hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod.
Inside the bag was a small Iron Man action figure.
Not expensive.
Not flashy.
Just simple enough for a little boy to treasure.
Mayank gasped.
"Wooow!"
"It's Little Iron Man!"
Leo smiled.
"I thought every superhero deserves a partner."
Mayank hugged the toy tightly before suddenly hugging Leo as well.
"So soft..." Leo whispered with a small laugh.
For a brief moment...
He closed his eyes.
That tiny embrace somehow filled an emptiness he had carried for years.
Mia quietly watched them.
Her heart smiled...
Even while it broke.
After breakfast, the doctor entered with Mayank's reports.
"The fever has settled well."
He smiled warmly.
"If everything remains stable for another few hours, he can go home this afternoon."
Mia let out the breath she had been holding.
"Thank you, Doctor."
After the doctor left...
Silence settled over the room again.
Leo stood near the window for several moments before finally speaking.
"I'll be leaving today."
Mia looked at him quietly.
"My flight is this evening."
Mayank's smile slowly faded.
"So soon?"
Leo walked toward the bed and sat beside him.
"I have work waiting for me."
The little boy lowered his head.
"But..."
"We're best friends."
Leo gently lifted his chin.
"And best friends don't disappear."
"They just meet again someday."
"When?"
Leo smiled softly.
"When fate decides."
Mayank pouted.
"I don't like fate."
Leo laughed.
"Neither do I."
The room filled with gentle laughter.
Then Leo's expression became serious.
He leaned closer until only Mayank could hear him.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
Mayank's eyes sparkled.
"Secret?"
Leo nodded.
"You wanted to become Iron Man someday, didn't you?"
"Yes!"
"Then listen carefully."
He gently tapped Mayank's tiny chest.
"Being Iron Man isn't about wearing armour."
"It isn't about fighting."
"It's about protecting the people you love."
Mayank listened carefully.
"So from today..."
"You are Little Iron Man."
The little boy's eyes became round with excitement.
"Really?"
Leo nodded.
"And Little Iron Man has one very important mission."
"What mission?"
Leo glanced toward Mia, who was pretending not to listen.
Then he smiled.
"You have to protect your mama."
Mayank immediately looked toward Mia.
Then back at Leo.
"I can do that!"
Leo smiled proudly.
"When your mama cries..."
"You wipe her tears."
"When she's tired..."
"You hug her."
"When she's lonely..."
"You make her laugh."
"Can you do that?"
Mayank puffed out his tiny chest proudly.
"Yes!"
"I'll always protect Mama!"
"I promise!"
Leo gently placed his hand on the little boy's head.
"That's my Little Iron Man."
Mia quickly turned her face toward the window.
She didn't want either of them to see the tears gathering in her eyes.
If only...
If only he knew...
That he was asking his own son...
To protect the woman they both loved.
A few hours later, Mayank was officially discharged.
Leo insisted on driving them home.
This time...
Mia didn't refuse.
The drive was unusually quiet.
Mayank had fallen asleep halfway home, clutching both Iron Man toys tightly against his chest.
His tiny head rested against Leo's shoulder.
Leo smiled faintly.
"He trusts people too easily."
Mia looked at her sleeping son.
"No..."
"He trusts good hearts."
Leo didn't answer.
The car finally stopped outside the Acharya Mansion.
The grand gates slowly opened.
Leo carefully stepped out, still carrying the sleeping Mayank.
For several long seconds...
He simply looked at the little boy sleeping peacefully in his arms.
A strange ache settled deep inside his heart.
He couldn't explain it.
Nor did he try to.
Slowly...
He handed Mayank back to Mia.
Their fingers brushed briefly.
Neither pulled away immediately.
Then...
Leo spoke quietly.
"I think..."
"You already know how I feel."
Mia remained silent.
"I won't ask you for anything."
"I know your heart belongs to someone from your past."
"And now..."
"Your entire world belongs to your son."
He smiled sadly.
"I respect that."
Mia lowered her eyes, unable to answer.
Leo looked at the sleeping child one last time and gently patted his hair.
"Take care of our Little Iron Man."
His voice was almost a whisper.
Then he looked back at Mia.
"If you ever need help..."
"No matter where I am..."
"No matter what happens..."
"I'll come."
"You have my word."
For just a second...
His hand lifted instinctively.
He wanted to gently pat her head...
Just like he used to do in memories he couldn't fully remember.
But halfway...
He stopped.
His hand slowly fell back to his side.
"Goodbye... Doctor Mia."
He turned around.
Without looking back.
He walked toward the waiting car.
Mia stood frozen at the entrance, Mayank sleeping peacefully in her arms.
She watched until the black car disappeared beyond the gates.
Only then...
The tears she had been holding back finally escaped.
This goodbye...
Felt painfully familiar.
Just like the one beneath the snow-covered skies of Switzerland.
Only this time...
They weren't saying goodbye because they didn't love each other.
They were saying goodbye...
Because they loved each other too much.